A couple of months ago a customer asked me to build a clock for a gift. Back in my clock building days in the 80's & 90's, I built well over 100 clocks. Mantel, wall, schoolhouse, bracket, and over a dozen Grandfather clocks. Alas, I lost my ledger which contained dates, customers, type, species of wood, and serial numbers.
Anyway, he wanted a Walnut mantel clock so I have been working along on it. All of the pictures were taken with my cell phone, and I just have not taken the time to upload them and post. The delivery time is before the Pig Roast so I have to get busy because you can't rush the finishing.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0111.jpg)
I use a combination joint on the door. Miter for looks on the front side and lap for strength on the back.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0114.jpg)
Gluing the door together.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0122.jpg)
A bit of sanding.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0120.jpg)
The finished door.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0124.jpg)
Morticing the hinges for the door.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0168.jpg)
Gluing the base.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0169.jpg)
Walnut sanding dust really stains your hands.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0171.jpg)
The various parts are coming together.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0194.jpg)
A bad picture of a pretty piece of wood. This is the loose fitting back of the clock.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0191.jpg)
I'm now ready to finally assemble the main body of the clock.
Looking preet nice there Magic. ;D
Wow. Looking forward to seeing the final pics.
Hey there MagicMan, you've been holding back on us. :)
That's coming along very nicely.
My uncle had a grandmother clock carcass built about 30 years ago by a local cabinet maker. The top with the movement has a carcass that slides forward, kind of like a hood. It also has a glassed front door.
Cool project BTW. 8)
MM dont you ever have anything to do? Lookin good on the clock. Keep us posted and have a good trip up north, bg
I finished the clock this afternoon.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0196.jpg)
It will only get low gloss tung oil finish. No stain or glossy polyurethane look.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0200.jpg)
Nicely figured Walnut.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0201.jpg)
The back.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0197.jpg)
It's hard to get a frontal shot with the reflection of the glass and the polished dial.
I just hope that he doesn't call and I get to keep it over the weekend. :)
Beautifully done.
That's beautiful. I know your client will be tickled pink :)
Very nice MM. I cant think of anyone who would be ticked off at owning one like that. I have never used any of that finish before, need to try it sometime. bg
Very Beautiful MM. How many coats of the Tung Oil did you apply?
That looks good MM. I like using tung oil myself.
That's a wonderfully done clock MM. The finish looks great. :)
That is a fine piece, MM!
Nice job MM 8) 8)
Quote from: Left Coast Chris on July 20, 2011, 10:59:14 PM
Very Beautiful MM. How many coats of the Tung Oil did you apply?
Thanks all. I will use 0000 steel wool today and add the second (final) coat of tung oil.
That is a really nice clock, very well done.
GF
I hate modifications, but sometimes they are necessary. I noticed last night that the chimes sounded muffled. I normally put a finger hole in the back, but this back was so pretty that I tried it without the hole. Well, this morning it got a hole.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0202.jpg)
A 1½" finger hole gets drilled through the back.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0204.jpg)
Yup, it now has a hole.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0203.jpg)
0000 Steel wool and hand rubbed with a soft cloth eliminates any possibility of any unsightly build up. This was the second and final coat of oil.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/Image0208.jpg)
Another view of the front at an angle to reduce reflections.
I don't use any fillers or putty to fill any irregularities in the wood or joints. This is handcrafted, if it is there it stays.
smiley_thumbsup
Great piece, just think of the hole as the final touches. :)
From Magicman to Father Time what's next? ;D :D
Beautiful Job. smiley_thumbsup
Very nice, MM.
At least you noticed the sound issue before your final coat of finish.
Looks great MM, a true craftsman.
OK, so I wasn't completely honest about who the clock was actually for. It wasn't for a customer, I built it as a gift for Jeff and Tammy.
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That clock is amazing and was a wonderful surprise. We will be moving some things from the center of our mantle to give it a place where was can admire it for years to come. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Magicman for such a magnificent gift. :)
Nicely done. 8)
Hey, you old codger!! What a gift. Nice! :)
A worthy gesture and great looking clock there MM :)
:)
That's a nice surprise. Well, done! :)
Well done, MM. :)
Nice clock, nice surprise. 8) Will it help Jeff be on time??
A proper gesture, to a proper family in a proper environment. Well done :)
I love that clock already and miss it up here at the cabin. At home, I found myself smiling every time the chimes would gently sound. :)
Yes, I like a mantel clock as well. When I was in Radford, Va area 10 years ago I bought a Howard Miller that is wound by key. It's an eight day clock with Westminister chimes. I also have a tall quartz clock, a Bulova with Westminister chimes to. I like the key wind one the best. No batteries, no power, just good old German clockworks. ;)
Enjoy your clock there Jeff as it'll remind you of a good friend and his great wood craftsmanship. :)
I'd like to add a bit to this thread. That ain't Jeff's clock, it's Tammy's ;D. I was present when Magic presented the clock to Jeff. He said, this is yours to do with as you see fit, keep it, use it as a door prize, auction it off, whatever. Tammy grabbed the clock, wrapped her arms around it and said, "This clock is not going anywhere, It's MINE". Maybe she will let Jeff wind it ;D A fitting tribute to a fine couple, and a perfect example of the kind of folks who hang around here. The clock is just the tip of an iceberg. You'd be surprised (well maybe not) to learn of some of the other projects Magicman and Magicwoman have been involved in.
Quoteuse it as a door prize
That was my suggestion. ;D I thought we all should vote on what to do with the clock, but Tammy said that only her vote would be counted. :(
Awesome clock and gift for Tammy and Jeff, Lynn! 8)
I'm spending a lot of time up here at our property in the U.P., and one of the things I miss most about home other then Tammy and the kids and Icey and scooter, is that clock. I smile every time it chimes. :)
Hickory Dickory Dock. :)
I noticed this morning my clock did not chime. I went to check it and saw it had stopped around 5am this morning, and was just making a clicking sound. I think this battery has been in there at least 2 years, possibly 3. The clock sits on top of my bookcase, next to the dividing wall of my office area. I can remember the last time I opened the clock. I had noticed it had quit chiming, and as it turned out, the adult child that was staying with us at the time had turned the chime off because it irritated them. To bad. I turned the chime back on and put a note in there.
So back to today. I got a new battery and opened up the clock. My note was still there, but I found a surprise that was added soon after I put the note in there.
I had had a squatter! He had a chance to build his house on my property but never moved it. I had spotted him running on the wall and saw him when he dived into my old forest service field radio. I just took the radio out side and shook him out, then went back in and ran a trap line. I'm sure this was at least 2 years ago as well
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It gave me an opportunity to re-read this old topic. Made me smile! :)
Then sadly you also notice those FF members that are absent or no longer with us. :-\
Wow, where did six and a half years go Jeff? ::)
At Christmas my mantle clock seems to disappear into the closet for ornament space. That ain't going to happen in Royalton. I made mention of Christmas stuff being delegated to the porch. :-X :D My uncle always wound his grandmother clock during Christmas, so this clock in the closet thing ain't right with me. :D
That is a nice clock, and even without batteries it is still correct twice a day.
outstanding work!